Pd‐Cu alloy nanoparticle supported on amine‐terminated ionic liquid functional 3D graphene and its application on Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction

Well distributed Pd‐Cu bimetallic alloy nanoparticles supported on amine‐terminated ionic liquid functional three‐dimensional graphene (3D IL‐rGO/Pd‐Cu) as an efficient catalyst for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction has been prepared via a facile synthetic method. The introduction of IL‐NH₂ cations on the surface of graphene sheets can effectively avoid the re‐deposition of graphene sheets, allowing the catalyst to be reused up to 10 cycles. The addition of Cu not only saves cost but also ensures high catalytic efficiency. It is worthy to note that the catalyst 3D IL‐rGO/Pd_2.5Cu_2.5 can efficiently catalyze the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction with the yield up to 100% in 0.25 h, almost one‐fold higher than that by the pristine IL‐rGO/Pd_2.5 catalyst (52%). The Powder X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), combining energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping results confirm the existence and distribution of Pd and Cu in the bimetallic nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the nanoparticle size with an average diameter of 3.0 ± 0.5 nm. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis proved the presence of electron transfer from Cu to Pd upon alloying. Such alloying‐induced electronic modification of Pd‐Cu alloy and 3D ionic liquid functional graphene with large specific surface area both accounted for the catalytic enhancement.     

Large Hexagonal Bi‐ and Trilayer Graphene Single Crystals with Varied Interlayer Rotations

Bi‐ and trilayer graphene have attracted intensive interest due to their rich electronic and optical properties, which are dependent on interlayer rotations. However, the synthesis of high‐quality large‐size bi‐ and trilayer graphene single crystals still remains a challenge. Here, the synthesis of 100 μm pyramid‐like hexagonal bi‐ and trilayer graphene single‐crystal domains on Cu foils using chemical vapor deposition is reported. The as‐produced graphene domains show almost exclusively either 0° or 30° interlayer rotations. Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier‐transformed infrared spectroscopy were used to demonstrate that bilayer graphene domains with 0° interlayer stacking angles were Bernal stacked. Based on first‐principle calculations, it is proposed that rotations originate from the graphene nucleation at the Cu step, which explains the origin of the interlayer rotations and agrees well with the experimental observations.     

Graphene Grown from Flat and Bowl Shaped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Cu(111)

The growth of carbon layers, defective graphene, and graphene by deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Cu(111) is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Two different PAHs are used as starting materials: the buckybowl pentaindenocorannulene (PIC) which contains pentagonal rings and planar coronene (CR). For both precursors, with increasing sample temperature during deposition, porous carbon aggregates (350 °C), dense carbon layers (400–450 °C), disordered defective graphene (500 °C–550 °C), and extended graphene (≥600 °C) are obtained. No significant differences for defective graphene grown from PIC and CR are observed. C 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra of PIC and CR derived samples grown at 350–550 °C exhibit a characteristic C−Cu low binding energy component. Preparation at ≥600 °C eliminates this C−Cu species and only C−C bonded carbon remains.     

Graphene Liquid Marbles as Photothermal Miniature Reactors for Reaction Kinetics Modulation

We demonstrate the fabrication of graphene liquid marbles as photothermal miniature reactors with precise temperature control for reaction kinetics modulation. Graphene liquid marbles show rapid and highly reproducible photothermal behavior while maintaining their excellent mechanical robustness. By tuning the applied laser power, swift regulation of graphene liquid marble’s surface temperature between 21–135 °C and its encapsulated water temperature between 21–74 °C are demonstrated. The temperature regulation modulates the reaction kinetics in our graphene liquid marble, achieving a 12‐fold superior reaction rate constant for methylene blue degradation than at room temperature.     

Deep eutectic solvents skeleton typed molecularly imprinted chitosan microsphere coated magnetic graphene oxide for solid‐phase microextraction of chlorophenols from environmental water

Novel molecularly imprinted chitosan microspheres were prepared on the surface of magnetic graphene oxide, with deep eutectic solvents both as a functional monomer and template. The prepared molecularly imprinted chitosan microspheres‐magnetic graphene oxide was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area, thermogravimetric analysis were subsequently combined with solid‐phase micro‐extraction for simultaneous separation and enrichment of the extraction of chlorophenols from environmental water. Factors affecting the extraction efficiency of chlorophenols were optimized using response surface methodology. The actual extraction capacities under the optimal conditions (liquid to solid ratio = 3, cycles of adsorption/desorption = 5, 40°C extraction temperature, and extraction time for 35 min) were 86.90 mg/g. Compared to the traditional materials, the molecularly imprinted chitosan microspheres‐magnetic graphene oxide produced higher selectivity and extraction capacity.     

Two‐Dimensional Boron Monolayers Mediated by Metal Substrates

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene and boron nitride, have specific lattice structures independent of external conditions. In contrast, the structure of 2D boron sensitively depends on metal substrate, as we show herein using the cluster expansion method and a newly developed surface structure‐search method, both based on first‐principles calculations. The preferred 2D boron on weaker interacting Au is nonplanar with significant buckling and numerous polymorphs as in vacuum, whereas on more reactive Ag, Cu, and Ni, the polymorphic energy degeneracy is lifted and a particular planar structure is found to be most stable. We also show that a layer composed of icosahedral B₁₂ is unfavorable on Cu and Ni but unexpectedly becomes a possible minimum on Au and Ag. The substrate‐dependent 2D boron choices originate from a competition between the strain energy of buckling and chemical energy of electronic hybridization between boron and metal.     

Twinning and growth kinetics of lamellar grains in a diblock copolymer solution

The initial stages of growth of the lamellar phase in a block copolymer solution were observed with polarizing optical microscopy (POM). Measurements were made on a poly(styrene‐b‐isoprene) diblock copolymer with block molecular weights of 15 and 13 kg/mol, respectively, dissolved in dioctyl phthalate with 70% polymer by volume. Upon cooling from above the order–disorder transition temperature, 89.5 °C, to temperatures from 87.5 to 88.5 °C, four distinct types of grain were observed: ellipsoidal single grains, twinned ellipsoidal grains, 2‐fold twinned grains, and spherulites. The relative populations were distributed as 50% single ellipsoids, 25% twinned ellipsoids, 10% 2‐fold twinned grains, and 15% spherulites. These grain types cover a range of lamellae orientation. For example, the surface of a 2‐fold twinned grain is composed of lamellar edges, whereas the spherulite surface is composed of lamellar planes. The specific grain types that arise give insight into the thermodynamic and kinetic forces governing lamellae ordering. Furthermore, growth front velocities of individual grains were measured after rapid quenches from above T_ODT. These results were compared to the predictions of Goveas and Milner. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 405–412, 2005     

Macroscopic single‐domain graphene sheet on Ni(111)

We observed in situ growth of a single graphene sheet on Ni(111) by low‐energy electron microscopy. The sheet was grown epitaxially beyond the steps on the substrate. The crystalline shapes of graphene islands were clearly seen; the straight edges of the island are crossed at either 60 or 120°, and the linear edges shifted perpendicular to the edge keeping the equilibrium shape. Graphene islands were united to form a single sheet without any grain boundaries and any wrinkles. The Ni substrate of several centimeters in size was covered with a single‐domain graphene sheet. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tailor‐made ion‐imprinted polymer based on functionalized graphene oxide for the preconcentration and determination of trace copper in food samples

A tailor‐made Cu(II) ion‐imprinted polymer based on large‐surface‐area graphene oxide sheets has been synthesized for the preconcentration and determination of trace copper from food samples by solid‐phase extraction. Attributed to the ultrahigh surface area and hydrophilicity of graphene oxide, the Cu(II) ion‐imprinted polymer prepared by the surface ion‐imprinting technique exhibited a high binding capacity and a fast adsorption rate under the optimized experimental conditions. In the static adsorption experiments, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) ion‐imprinted polymer is 109.38 mg/g at 25°C, which is much higher than that of the nonimprinted polymer (32.12 mg/g). Meanwhile, the adsorption is very rapid and equilibrium is reached after approximately 30 min. The adsorption mechanism is found to follow Langmuir adsorption model and the pseudo‐second‐order adsorption process. The Cu(II) ion‐imprinted polymer was used for extracting and detecting Cu(II) in food samples combined with graphite flame atomic adsorption spectrometry with high recoveries in the range of 97.6–103.3%. The relative standard deviation and limit of detection of the method were evaluated as 1.2% and 0.37 μg/L, respectively. The results showed that the novel absorbent can be utilized as an effective material for the selective enrichment and determination of Cu(II) from food samples.     

Oxidation‐induced nanostructures on Cu{100}, Cu(Ag) and Ag/Cu{100} studied by photoelectron spectroscopy

Initial surface oxidation and nanoscale morphology on Cu{100}, Cu(Ag) and Ag/Cu{100} have been investigated in situ by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES) and the inelastic electron background analysis as a function of oxygen exposure at 3.7 × 10^?2 and 213 mbar pressures at a surface temperature of 373 K. Relative Cu₂O concentrations have been quantified by analysis of the peak shape of the XAES Cu LMM transition. The surface morphology of Cu₂O islands and the Ag layer has been characterized by inelastic electron background analysis of XAES O KLL and Ag 3d transitions. Oxygen‐induced segregation of Cu, as well as the subsequent Cu₂O island formation on Cu(Ag) and Ag/Cu{100} surfaces, has been investigated quantitatively. Our results indicate that Ag has a clear inhibitive effect on the initial oxidation and Cu₂O island formation on Cu(Ag) and Ag/Cu{100} surfaces. The Cu₂O islands are also observed to remain highly strained on Ag/Cu{100} even at higher O₂ exposures. The results suggest that strained Cu₂O islands eventually penetrate through the buried Ag layer, and in conjunction with segregating Cu atoms enable the oxidation to proceed at a similar rate to or even faster than on the unalloyed Cu surface. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure analysis of SiCGe films grown on SiC

The island growth of SiCGe films on SiC at different temperatures has been investigated by SEM and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The island growth of SiCGe thin films depends on the processing parameter such as the growth temperature and follows the Stranski‐Krastanov (SK) mode. When the growth temperature is comparatively low, the thin film has two types of islands: one is a SiGe sphere‐like island of diamond‐cubic structure; another is a SiCGe cascading triangular island of zinc‐blende structure. As the growth temperature increases, the quantity of the sphere‐like islands reduces, while that of the cascading triangular islands increases. When the growth temperature is about 1060 °C, only cascading triangular islands are observed on the surface of the thin film, and the thickness of the 2D interfacial growth layer formed at the initial stage of the growth process is about 40 nm, which is twice of that grown at low temperature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Functionalization of graphene oxide towards thermo‐sensitive nanocomposites via moderate in situ SET‐LRP

A mild and efficient strategy is presented for growing thermo‐sensitive polymers directly from the surface of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO). This method involves the covalent attachment of Br‐containing initiating groups onto the surface of GO sheets followed by in situ growing poly[poly(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether methacrylate] (PPEGEEMA) via single‐electron‐transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP). Considering the lack of reactive functional groups on the surface of GO, exfoliated GO sheets were subjected to an epoxide ring opening reaction with tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) at room temperature. The initiating groups were grafted onto TRIS‐GO sheets by treating hydroxyls with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide at room temperature. PPEGEEMA chains were synthesized by in situ SET‐LRP using CuBr/Me₆TREN as catalytic system at 40 °C in H₂O/THF. The resulting materials were characterized using a range of testing techniques and it was proved that polymer chains were successfully introduced to the surface of GO sheets. After grafting with PPEGEEMA, the modified GO sheets still maintained the separated single layers and the dispersibility was significantly improved. This TRIS‐GO‐PPEGEEMA hybrid material shows reversible self‐assembly and deassembly in water by switching temperature at about 34 °C. Such smart graphene‐based materials promise important potential applications in thermally responsive nanodevices and microfluidic switches. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

DFT‐D Studies of Single Porphyrin Molecule on Doped Boron Silicon Surfaces

We present a theoretical study in the framework of density functional calculations, taking into account the van der Waals interactions (DFT‐D) of isolated Cu‐5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐phenyl) porphyrin (Cu‐TBPP) molecules in a C2v conformation adsorbed on a Si(111)√3x√3R30°‐boron surface [denoted Si(111)‐B]. With this approach, we investigate interactions between perfect or boron‐defect Si(111)‐B substrates and the Cu‐TBPP molecule as well as the consequences of demetallation of Cu‐TBPP. For each model, we determine the structural equilibrium, the spatial charge‐density distribution and the electronic properties of the ground state. We conclude that there is potential for Si adatom capture by a porphyrin without strong modification of the porphyrin response, as seen from simulated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images.     

A Molecular Pillar Approach To Grow Vertical Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheets on Graphene: Hybrid Materials for Energy Storage

Hybrid 2D–2D materials composed of perpendicularly oriented covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and graphene were prepared and tested for energy storage applications. Diboronic acid molecules covalently attached to graphene oxide (GO) were used as nucleation sites for directing vertical growth of COF‐1 nanosheets (v‐COF‐GO). The hybrid material has a forest of COF‐1 nanosheets with a thickness of 3 to 15 nm in edge‐on orientation relative to GO. The reaction performed without molecular pillars resulted in uncontrollable growth of thick COF‐1 platelets parallel to the surface of GO. The v‐COF‐GO was converted into a conductive carbon material preserving the nanostructure of precursor with ultrathin porous carbon nanosheets grafted to graphene in edge‐on orientation. It was demonstrated as a high‐performance electrode material for supercapacitors. The molecular pillar approach can be used for preparation of many other 2D‐2D materials with control of their relative orientation.     

液态金属催化剂:二维材料的点金石

由于石墨烯等二维材料具有独特的结构与优异的性能,其在众多新型电子器件的构建中具有重要的应用前景。然而,其可控生长仍然存在诸多挑战性的问题,这也是制约这类明星材料真正迈向应用的瓶颈所在。化学气相沉积法(CVD)是目前可控制备高质量石墨烯最有效的方法,其中催化基底的设计尤为重要,这将直接决定CVD最为核心的两个过程:催化和传质。相较于改变催化剂的化学组成,近年来我们发现改变催化剂的物态——由固态到液态,对石墨烯等二维材料的CVD过程有质的改变和提升。与固态基底相比,液态基底具有更松散的原子排列、更剧烈的原子迁移,使得液面平滑而各向同性,液相可流动且可包埋异质原子。这使得液态金属在催化石墨烯等二维材料及其异质结生长时表现出很多独特的行为,比如层数严格自限制、超快的生长速度、晶粒拼接平滑等。更重要的是,基底的液态特性给二维材料的自组装和转移带来了突破,实乃二维材料的点金石。本文将梳理液态金属催化剂上二维材料的生长、组装与转移行为,这些关键技术的突破将为二维材料迈向真正应用奠定坚实的基础。     

Biomimetic Superhydrophobic/Superoleophilic Highly Fluorinated Graphene Oxide and ZIF‐8 Composites for Oil–Water Separation

Superhydrophobic/superoleophilic composites HFGO@ZIF‐8 have been prepared from highly fluorinated graphene oxide (HFGO) and the nanocrystalline zeolite imidazole framework ZIF‐8. The structure‐directing and coordination‐modulating properties of HFGO allow for the selective nucleation of ZIF‐8 nanoparticles at the graphene surface oxygen functionalities. This results in localized nucleation and size‐controlled ZIF‐8 nanocrystals intercalated in between HFGO layers. The composite microstructure features fluoride groups bonded at the graphene. Self‐assembly of a unique micro‐mesoporous architecture is achieved, where the micropores originate from ZIF‐8 nanocrystals, while the functionalized mesopores arise from randomly organized HFGO layers separated by ZIF‐8 nanopillars. The hybrid material displays an exceptional high water contact angle of 162° and low oil contact angle of 0° and thus reveals very high sorption selectivity, fast kinetics, and good absorbencies for nonpolar/polar organic solvents and oils from water. Accordingly, Sponge@HFGO@ZIF‐8 composites are successfully utilized for oil–water separation.     

Thermoresponsive graphene oxide‐PNIPAM nanocomposites with controllable grafting polymer chains via moderate in situ SET–LRP

In this study, we report a mild and efficient strategy for growing thermosensitive polymers directly from the surface of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO). Exfoliated GO sheets were sequentially subject to the epoxide ring‐opening reaction with tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) to increase the amount of reactive sites, the esterification with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide to introduce the Br‐containing initiating groups, and the surface‐initiated single electron transfer–living radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) to tune the molecular weights of grafted polymers. All these reactions were performed at ambient temperature without losing any other oxygen‐containing functionality on GO. The resulting TRIS‐GO‐PNIPAM nanocomposites still maintain the separated single layers in dispersion, and the dispersibilities in organic solvents are significantly improved. Meanwhile, the aqueous dispersion of TRIS‐GO‐PNIPAM shows reversible temperature switching self‐assembly and disassembly behavior at about 40°C. Such smart graphene‐based hybrid materials are promising for applications in nanoelectronics, sensors, and microfluidic switches. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Robust perfluorosilanized copper surfaces

Polished copper (Cu) surfaces modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (PFTS) have been shown to be very hydrophobic and stable. Mechanically polished, oxidized, and PFTS‐reacted Cu surfaces were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which confirmed the presence of perfluorinated alkyl chains. For a PFTS‐modified Cu surface (PFTS/Cu), the sessile drop static contact angle of pure water at ambient temperature and high relative humidity (RH) was measured to be more than 125° and the Zisman critical surface energy to be typically less than 16 mN/m. Ellipsometry showed the thickness of the PFTS/Cu film to be typically less than 25 nm. Stability tests indicated that the PFTS/Cu film could survive in pure boiling water for one hour, boiling nitric acid (pH 1.5 or 1.8) for 30 min, sodium hydroxide solution (pH 12, 70 °C) for 30 min, and autoclave conditions (steam at 134 °C and 3 atm) for 15 min. The more commonly used self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) modifications of Cu surfaces, e.g. thiol compounds, are significantly less stable than PFTS/Cu. The extremely hydrophobic and stable PFTS/Cu could be a very good candidate for corrosion inhibition and/or heat exchangers exploiting condensation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New insights into the Sn underpotential deposition on Au(100)

The underpotential deposition (UPD) of Sn in the system Au(100)/Sn²⁺, SO₄^2? has been studied by classical electrochemical techniques and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. The results show that the Sn UPD initiates at relatively high potentials with the formation of a quasi‐hexagonal structure characterized as Au(100) ? (√2 × 7)R45°. This expanded overlayer contributes to the modification of the surface morphology which exhibits flat terraces with step edges showing angles of 60 or 120°. At lower potentials two‐dimensional (2D) islands are formed which tend to grow, causing a coverage increase. In the underpotential region close to the formation of the 3D bulk phase the long time polarization experiments indicate the formation of different Au–Sn alloy phases. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Epitaxy‐like orientation of nanoscale Ag islands grown on air‐oxidized Si(110)‐(5 × 1) surfaces

Growth of Ag islands under ultra‐high vacuum condition on air‐oxidized Si(110)‐(5 × 1) surfaces has been investigated by in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction and ex situ scanning electron microscopy and cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy. A thin oxide is formed on Si via exposure of the clean Si(110)‐(5 × 1) surface to air. The oxide layer has a short range order. Deposition of Ag at different thicknesses and at different substrate temperatures reveal that the crystalline qualities of the Ag film are almost independent of the thickness of the Ag layer and depend only on the substrate temperature. Ag deposition at room temperature leads to the growth of randomly oriented Ag islands while preferred orientation evolves when Ag is deposited at higher temperatures. For deposition at 550 °C sharp spots in the reflection high energy electron diffraction pattern corresponding to an epitaxial orientation with the underlying Si substrate are observed. The presence of a short range order on the oxidized surface apparently influences the crystallographic orientation of the Ag islands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.